Psalms 63:8 — Word Study
WLCדָּבְקָ֣ה נַפְשִׁ֣י אַחֲרֶ֑יךָ בִּ֝֗י תָּמְכָ֥ה יְמִינֶֽךָ׃
BSAforkîy to behâyâh helpʻezrâh shadowtsêl wingkânâph to overcomerânan
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| דָּבְקָ֣ה | it clings | Verb, Qal, perfect third person feminine singular |
| נַפְשִׁ֣י | self my | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| אַחֲרֶ֑יךָ | after you | Suffix |
| בִּ֝֗י | me | Preposition, suffix |
| תָּמְכָ֥ה | it supports | Verb, Qal, perfect third person feminine singular |
| יְמִינֶֽךָ׃ | right [hand] your | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me. |
| KJV | My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. |
| ASV | My soul followeth hard after thee: Thy right hand upholdeth me. |
| YLT | Cleaved hath my soul after Thee, On me hath Thy right hand taken hold. |
| WEB | My soul stays close to you. Your right hand holds me up. |
| BBE | My soul keeps ever near you: your right hand is my support. |
Where they part company is תָּמְכָ֥ה — see How Translations Differ.
Two main clauses connected by a conjunction, with one phrase describing the object of the first clause.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbכִּי
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 63:8
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Psalm of Trustgenerated
Psalm 63:8 reveals the psalmist's profound reliance on God, illustrating a relationship marked by devotion and divine support. The preceding verses emphasize God's help and the joy found in His presence, setting the stage for this declaration of clinging trust. The imagery of being upheld by God's right hand reinforces the idea of divine strength and protection, as seen throughout the psalm.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 73:25 | Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You. |
| 2 | Psalm 143:6–7 | I stretch out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land. Selah |
| 3 | Genesis 32:26–28 | Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” |
| 4 | 2 Chronicles 31:21 | He was diligent in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law and the commandments, in order to seek his God. And so he prospered. |
| 5 | Song of Solomon 3:2 |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 18 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — דָּבְקָ֣ה, da.ve.Kahgenerated
The verb דָּבַק, transliterated as dabaq, means to cling or cleave closely. It conveys a sense of pursuing something with intensity and devotion, emphasizing the psalmist's deep desire to remain connected to God.
This verb is in the perfect tense, indicating a completed action, which suggests the psalmist's ongoing commitment to God. The use of this word highlights the relational aspect of faith, where the soul actively seeks and adheres to the divine.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb דָּבְקָ֣ה, it clings, governs the structure of the verse, with two phrases following: a prepositional phrase indicating the object of the clinging, and a second verb phrase describing the action of being upheld.
The sentence emphasizes the relationship between the soul's action of clinging and God's response of support, showcasing the interconnectedness of human devotion and divine strength.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates the verb דָּבְקָ֣ה as ὅτι, which carries the meaning of 'because' or 'that.' This choice may reflect an interpretative nuance, suggesting a reason for the psalmist's clinging.
However, the translation of תָּמְכָ֥ה aligns closely with the Hebrew, indicating a consistent understanding of divine support across both texts.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 63:8 expresses the psalmist's deep devotion to God, stating that his soul clings to Him and that God's right hand supports him. This verse highlights the close relationship between the believer and God, emphasizing reliance on divine strength.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Clinging to God signifies a deep, personal relationship where one seeks to remain close to Him, trusting in His guidance and support.
The right hand symbolizes strength and power in the Bible, indicating that God's support is both protective and sustaining.
The imagery of clinging illustrates the active pursuit of a relationship with God, highlighting the psalmist's commitment to follow and depend on Him.
You can apply this verse by seeking to develop a closer relationship with God, trusting Him for support in times of need and striving to remain steadfast in faith.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I demonstrate my commitment to clinging to God in my daily life?
- How do I experience God's support during challenging times?
- What practices can help me maintain a close relationship with God?
- How does understanding the concept of clinging to God change my perspective on my faith journey?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 63:8 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleMy soul followeth hard after thee,.... In a way of duty, and in the use of means; as prayer, meditation, c.
Read John Gill on Psalms 63 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryWhen I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. -Second strophe.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 63 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleFolloweth hard after thee, i.e. pursueth thee eagerly, diligently, and resolvedly, and as it were step by step, when thou seemest to run away from me; which is the emphasis of this Hebrew word. My soul and spirit cleaveth to thee, as this verb signifies, , when my body is absent from thy sanctuary. Upholdeth me: I do not lose my labour in following hard after thee; for though I am not, yet restored to the enjoyment of thy presence in thy house, yet I have present supports from thee, whereby my spirit is kept from fainting under my manifold pressures, and is enabled with faith and patience to wait upon thee, till thou seest fit to deliver me.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 63 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 63:8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.Ver. 8. My soul followeth hard after thee] Adhaesit anima mea post te. As hard as mine enemies do after me, even hard at heels, as we say; Sic trahit sua quemque voluptas. A Christian’ s close cleaving to God is the continent cause of all his comfort. This we must beg of God, Jeremiah 13:11, sc. that we may cleave to God with full purpose of heart, Acts 11:23, and if he seem to withdraw, to follow him hot foot, and press his footsteps. Thy right hand upholdeth me] For otherwise I should faint and fail in the pursuit of thee; my short legs and pursy heart would never hold on.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 63 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(8) My soul . . .—Literally, my soul cleaved after thee, combining two ideas. (Comp. Jeremiah 42:16.) The English phrase, “hung upon thee” (comp. Prayer-Book version), exactly expresses it. For “depths,” or “abysses of the earth,” comp. Psalms 139:15; Ephesians 4:9. It means the under world of the dead.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 63 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 8. My soul followeth hard after thee] דבקה נפשי אחריך dabekah naphshi achareycha, "My soul cleaves (or) is glued after thee." This phrase not only shows the diligence of the pursuit, and the nearness of the attainment, but also the fast hold he had got of the mercy of his God.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 63 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges8, 9. While he draws ever closer to God, his enemies will be destroyed.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 63 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleMy soul followeth hard after thee - The word used here - דבק dâbaq - means properly to cleave to; to adhere; to be glued to; to stick fast. Then it means to attach oneself to anything; and then, to pursue or follow after.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 63 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.
My soul stays close to you. Your right hand holds me up.
My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.
My soul pursues you; your right hand upholds me.
Tyndale line
My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
My soul followeth hard after thee: Thy right hand upholdeth me.
My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
My soule cleaueth vnto thee: for thy right hand vpholdeth me.
Strictly literal
My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
Cleaved hath my soul after Thee, On me hath Thy right hand taken hold.
My soul has cleaved after You, || Your right hand has taken hold on me.
(63:9) My soul cleaveth unto following thee: me thy right hand upholdeth.
I cling to you; your right hand supports me.
From the Latin
And God shall be exalted. The arrows of children are their wounds:
Simplified
I hold on to you; your strong arms lift me up.
My soul keeps ever near you: your right hand is my support.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text of Psalms 63:8 reads, "דָּבְקָ֣ה נַפְשִׁ֣י אַחֲרֶ֑יךָ בִּ֝֗י תָּמְכָ֥ה יְמִינֶֽךָ׃" which translates to "My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me." The Septuagint closely matches this text, with five out of six words corresponding directly, although the word order and articles differ due to the Greek language structure. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide additional variants for this specific verse, indicating that the Masoretic Text's reading is likely consistent across these ancient witnesses.
דָּבְקָ֣ה נַפְשִׁ֣י אַחֲרֶ֑יךָ בִּ֝֗י תָּמְכָ֥ה יְמִינֶֽךָ׃
5 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 63:8
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
דָּבַק, transliterated as dabaq, is a Hebrew verb meaning to cling or cleave. It encompasses a range of actions such as adhering closely, pursuing, and being joined together. The word appears in various forms, including Qal, Pual, Hiphil, and Hophal, indicating different nuances of the action. Notably, it can describe both physical and metaphorical closeness.
דָּבַק, דָּבֵק vb. cling, cleave, keep close
Qal
cling, cleave to
cling, cleave to
Pu. of crocodile’s scales, they are joined together
Hiph.
cause to cling or cleave to
pursue closely
overtake
Hoph. and my tongue is made to cleave (to) my gums
base
H1692 דָּבַק, דָּבֵק cling, cleave, keep close
1692 dabaq daw-bak'
a primitive root; properly, to impinge, i.e. cling or adhere;
figuratively, to catch by pursuit:--abide fast, cleave (fast
together), follow close (hard after), be joined (together),
keep (fast), overtake, pursue hard, stick, take.
דָּבַק (da.vaq) — to cleave.
1) to cling, stick, stay close, cleave, keep close, stick to, stick with, follow closely, join to, overtake, catch
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to cling, cleave to
1a2) to stay with
1b) (Pual) to be joined together
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to cause to cleave to
1c2) to pursue closely
1c3) to overtake
1d) (Hophal) to be made to cleave
Aramaic equivalent: de.vaq (דְּבֵק "to cleave" H1693)
HVqp3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singularHVqp3fs
The Hebrew word נֶ֫פֶשׁ (*nephesh*) broadly means 'soul' or 'living being,' encompassing concepts like life, self, person, desire, and emotion. It is derived from the root meaning 'to breathe' and signifies both physical and mental aspects of existence. The lexicons note its use in various contexts, including as the seat of appetites and emotions, though its application to will and character is uncertain.
נֶ֫פֶשׁ 756 n.f. soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion
= that which breathes, the breathing substance or being
The נפשׁ becomes a living being
The נפשׁ is specif.
The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself
נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)
נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions
נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts
נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.
נפשׁ = character is still more dub.
נ׳ in D
base
H5315 נֶ֫פֶשׁ soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion . = that which breathes, the breathing substance or being
. The נפשׁ becomes a living being
. The נפשׁ is specif.
. The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself
. נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)
. נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions
. נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts
. נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.
. נפשׁ = character is still more dub.
. נ׳ in D
5315 nephesh neh'-fesh
from 5314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of
(abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal,
accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental):--any,
appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire,
X (dis-)contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y),
(hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me,
mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-,
thy-)self, them (your)-selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they,
thing, (X she) will, X would have it.
see HEBREW for 05314
נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul.
1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
1b) living being
1c) living being (with life in the blood)
1d) the man himself, self, person or individual
1e) seat of the appetites
1f) seat of emotions and passions
1g) activity of mind
1g1) uncertain
1h) activity of the will
1h1) uncertain
1i) activity of the character
1i1) uncertain
נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul: life.
1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
1b) living being
1c) living being (with life in the blood)
1d) the man himself, self, person or individual
1e) seat of the appetites
1f) seat of emotions and passions
1g) activity of mind
HNcfsc/Sp1bs — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp1bs
The Hebrew word אַחַר (*achar*) primarily denotes the concept of 'after' or 'behind' in both spatial and temporal contexts. It functions as a substantive, adverb, preposition, and conjunction, indicating a following part or time. The related form אַחֲרַי (*acharai*) refers to a person who turns backwards. There is a reference to Proverbs 28:23 in relation to the latter.
אַחַר prop. subst. the hinder or following part
adv.
of place, behind
of time, afterwards
prep.
of place, behind, after
of time, after
conj. after that.
H310a אַחַר prop. subst. the hinder or following part . adv. . of place, behind
. of time, afterwards
. prep. . of place, behind, after
. of time, after
. conj. after that.
H310b אַחֲרַי a man that turneth backwards.
310 'achar akh-ar'
from 309; properly, the hind part; generally used as an
adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses):--after
(that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side),
behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from,
hereafter, hinder end, + out (over) live, + persecute,
posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth),
when, with.
see HEBREW for 0309
אַחַר (a.char) — after.
1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time)
1a) as an adverb
1a1) behind (of place)
1a2) afterwards (of time)
1b) as a preposition
1b1) behind, after (of place)
1b2) after (of time)
1b3) besides
1c) as a conjunction
1c) after that
1d) as a substantive
1d1) hinder part
1e) with other prepositions
1e1) from behind
1e2) from following after
אַחֲרַי (a.cha.ray) — backwards.
backwards (of a man that turns backwards)
HAcmpc/Sp2ms — SuffixHAcmpc/Sp2ms
נִי (ni) — me.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular
HRd/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffixHRd/Sp1bs
The Hebrew word תָּמַךְ (tamak) is a primitive root meaning to grasp, support, or attain. It covers actions like holding fast, maintaining, and helping. The Qal form includes meanings such as to hold up or keep, while the Niphal form suggests being seized or held. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons.
[תָּמַךְ] vb. grasp, support, attain
Qal
grasp, lay hold of
hold up, support
hold, keep
Niph. in the cords of his sin is he seized
base
H8551 תָּמַךְ grasp, support, attain
8551 tamak taw-mak'
a primitive root; to sustain; by implication, to obtain, keep
fast; figuratively, to help, follow close:--(take, up-)hold
(up), maintain, retain, stay (up).
תָּמַךְ (ta.makh) — to grasp.
1) to grasp, hold, support, attain, lay hold of, hold fast
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to grasp, lay hold of, attain
1a2) to hold up, support
1a3) to hold, keep
1a4) to take hold of each other
1b) (Niphal) to be seized, be held
HVqp3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singularHVqp3fs
The Hebrew word יָמִין (*yamiyn*) means 'right hand' or 'right side,' and it can also refer to the direction south, as the right hand points south when facing east. It is derived from the root word for 'to be strong' and covers various contexts, including body parts and directional references.
יָמִין 137 n.f. right hand
right hand
of situation on, or direction toward the right
of other parts of the body
= south, because when facing east the right hand is toward the south
base
H3225 יָמִין right hand . right hand
. of situation on, or direction toward the right
. of other parts of the body
. = south, because when facing east the right hand is toward the south
3225 yamiyn yaw-meen'
from 3231; the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or
other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally,
the south:--+ left-handed, right (hand, side), south.
see HEBREW for 03231
יָמִין (ya.min) — right.
1) right, right hand, right side
1a) right hand
1b) right (of direction)
1c) south (the direction of the right hand when facing East)
Also means: ya.min (יָמִין ": south" H3225H)
יָמִין (ya.min) — right: south.
1) right, right hand, right side
1a) right hand
1b) right (of direction)
1c) south (the direction of the right hand when facing East)
יָמִין (ya.min) — [Ben]jamin.
A man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.35.18;
son of: Israel (H3478) and Rachel (H7354);
brother of: Joseph (H3130);
half-brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783);
HNcfsc/Sp2ms — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp2ms
